Published 15:39 IST, July 16th 2020
Palestine disappears from Google Maps and Apple Maps? Netizens 'want it back'
'Free Palestine' has started trending on Twitter on July 16 since people started discovering that there is “No Palestine” on both Apple and Google maps.
Several people complained that Palestine has disappeared from both Google Maps and Apple Maps with no official statement from both companies. The move apparently came while Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to establish West Bank annexations that have already triggered global criticism with many countries calling it ‘human rights violation’. The years-long Israel-Palestine conflict has been further spiralling since Netanyahu’s coalition government is appearing to not lose any time moving forward with the plans that considerably weaken the Palestinian Authority.
#FreePalestine has even started trending on Twitter since people started discovering that there is “No Palestine” on both Apple and Google maps. Thousand of internet users are not only posting screenshots of both smartphone applications that are not showing any results to ‘Palestinepalestine’ but are also expressing their frustration with the move while also tagging the company’s accounts and demanding answers. Few even shared an image of old maps where Palestine is prominent and covers most of the area.
Palestine was never on Google Maps?
While Palestine supporters have been demanding to 'put it back' on maps, it never existed on Google Maps or Apple Maps, a report stated. “There has never been a ‘Palestine’ label on Google Maps, however we discovered a bug that removed the labels for ‘West Bank’ and ‘Gaza Strip,’” the company reportedly said in an official statement. “We’re working quickly to bring these labels back to the area.”
West Bank Annexations
Internet users started noticing the removal of Palestine from the maps when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to annex Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley, a move that has the potential to dismantle any hopes of a Palestinian state. Just weeks ago, dozens of Palestinians had protested against these West bank Settlements that have even been criticised by global powers including the UK and France.
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) had even passed a resolution with a thin margin last month for the implementation of strict penalties against Israel for the settlement activities along with accusations of human rights violations including an arms embargo. According to international media reports, the resolution has also called on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to come up with a report in 2021 on how Israel can be cornered to adhere to UN resolutions that call for ceasing settlement activity and the withdrawal to lines before 1967.
Updated 18:15 IST, July 16th 2020